Data Analytics Major

NEW MAJOR FOR FALL 2017
Data analytics is a rapidly growing profession across a wide range of fields, including finance, health care, insurance, biomedical research, computer science, marketing, and many other areas. Experts in data analytics have quickly become valued for their ability to process large amounts of data, detect significant trends, and make insights that drive important decisions.

About the Major

This major combines study in math and computer science with a firm foundation in the liberal arts. In her TED Talk on challenges in interpreting big data, data analyst Susan Etlinger said: "What we need to do insteadis spend a little bit more timeon things like the humanitiesand sociology, and the social sciences,rhetoric, philosophy, ethics,because they give us context that is so importantfor big data, and becausethey help us become better critical thinkers."

OWU's program requires students to be strong in quantitative methodology, and it helps you develop the skills to use data to explore and make connections in larger social, political, and economic contexts. In addition to foundational studies in mathematics and computer science, you also will take courses in:

The social, ethical, and cultural impacts of big data in our lives

Data visualization, where you'll learn how to communicate effectively with data

Science writing

And data-related issues in the sciences, humanities, and arts.

Since careers in data analytics span many industries, this can be a valuable second major. Ohio Wesleyan also offers minors in data analytics and data and society.

Undergraduate Research

Every data analytics major works under the guidance of a faculty member to complete a capstone research project. Students take the classroom theory and methods they've learned and put them into practice in actual challenges faced in society.

In the 10-week intensive Summer Science Research Program, students work as paid researchers with a faculty mentor on a topic of mutual interest.

Highlights

Summer Research

Ohio Wesleyan’s 10-week Summer Science Research Program offers students the opportunity to carry out original research side by side with faculty mentors. Students and faculty are fully engaged partners in research projects. Students present their research at a forum in the fall.

Travel Opportunities

A Travel-Learning Course took mathematics students to the Matanuska Glacier in Alaska to study mathematical models of climate. Also, recent OWU mathematics students have conducted research in China and Alaska using Theory-to-Practice Grants provided by OWU.

Math & CS Competitions

Honors Program

Especially strong students are invited to participate in the departmental honors program. Students work for a year on an independent study, write and present a paper, and take a comprehensive examination. This experience is appropriate for students preparing to enter graduate school. Recent honors graduates have attended Cornell University, University of Wisconsin, Rice University, and others.

Graduate Outcomes

Christopher Grote '02

As Executive IT Architect with IBM Analytics in London, UK, Christopher helps some of Europe's leading banks identify opportunities and solutions to better leverage enterprise information and analytics.

National Shortage

The McKinsey Global Institute reports that by 2018 the United States could face a shortage of up to 180,000 people with deep analytic skills and an estimated 1.5 million managers and analysts.

Sexiest Job?

A 2013 CNBC article titled “The Sexiest Job of the 21st Century: Data Analyst” states: “With more and more companies using big data, the demand for data analytic specialists—sometimes called data scientists, who know how to manage the tsunami of information, spot patterns within it and draw conclusions and insights—is nearing a frenzy.”